It looks like a beautiful day to go for a drive. Quick blog to tell everyone I’m taking a drive across the U.P., over the Straits of Mackinac and down to Grand Rapids. Well first north of Detroit to pick up my date, my cousin Jamie, and then tomorrow I’ll be in Grand Rapids. “UP a River” was nominated for a West Michigan Eclipse Award for Best Documentary. The award ceremony is tomorrow, Thursday April 28th at 7:30 (est). It will be broadcast live on WKTV in Grand Rapids. Not in Grand Rapids? It will be streamed live at theeclipseaward.com.

I’m honored to be nominated. It’s an affirmation to me that I am a filmmaker. And that you can be a filmmaker anywhere. Even in a rural town in the U.P. It will be nice to meet other Michigan film and video makers since being in the U.P. I don’t have direct access to that community of like-minded people. Some of my college professors will be there too so I’m looking forward to seeing them as well. Here I am 12 years after college and made my first film. And it’s nominated for an award! Better late than never.

If nothing else it will be fun to put on a fancy dress and walk on a red carpet. You don’t wear too many formal dresses living out in the boonies. People look at you funny. I’d rather wear jeans and my UP a River sweatshirt any day though. I can’t trip over that. It’s packed just in case.